Abstract
BackgroundPrior data indicate high rates of problematic gambling in some racial-ethnic minority groups, yet research into mechanisms contributing to these associations is scant.The aim of the present study was to examine whether impulsivity and compulsivity differ across racial-ethnic groups in recreational gamblers. MethodsYoung adult non-treatment seeking recreational gamblers were recruited from the general community. Presence of mental health diagnoses (including gambling disorder) was exclusionary. Participants completed clinical interviews, questionnaires, and cognitive tasks germane to impulsivity and compulsivity. Results202 recreational gamblers (63.5% males) had mean (standard deviation) age 23.8 (2.7) years and identified using the following racial-ethnic identities: Caucasian (N = 145), African-American (N = 41), and Asian (N = 16). Groups did not differ on age, gender, education, or impulsivity measures. Compared to the Caucasian group, the African-American group reported significantly higher endorsement of sub-syndromal disordered gambling, higher compulsivity scores, and exhibited decision-making decrements on the Gambling Task. The Asian and Caucasian groups did not differ on any measure. ConclusionsThis study suggests that young adult African-American recreational gamblers may experience greater levels of subsyndromal gambling compared to other racial-ethnic groups, and this appears linked with aspects of compulsivity. Future work should evaluate gambling longitudinally to better understand nuanced presentations across different groups, including in other age groups.
Highlights
Gambling is a commonplace activity across cultures, and while many people gamble without untoward consequences, a subset of people develop gambling disorder, a mental health disorder characterized by persistent, recurrent maladaptive patterns of gambling behavior and functional impairment [1]
The sample sizes per racialethnic group included in the analysis were: White Caucasian (N = 145), African-American (N = 41), and Asian (N = 16)
The African-American group endorsed significantly more subsyndromal symptoms of gambling disorder compared to the White Caucasian group
Summary
Gambling is a commonplace activity across cultures, and while many people gamble without untoward consequences, a subset of people develop gambling disorder, a mental health disorder characterized by persistent, recurrent maladaptive patterns of gambling behavior and functional impairment [1]. High rates of problematic gambling have been reported in racial-ethnic minority groups, yet there is a severe poverty of research into the underlying factors that might account for these associations [2]. The aim of the present study was to examine whether impulsivity and compulsivity differ across racial-ethnic groups in recreational gamblers. Results: 202 recreational gamblers (63.5% males) had mean (standard deviation) age 23.8 (2.7) years and identified using the following racial-ethnic identities: Caucasian (N = 145), African-American (N = 41), and Asian (N = 16). Compared to the Caucasian group, the African-American group reported significantly higher endorsement of sub-syndromal disordered gambling, higher compulsivity scores, and exhibited decision-making decrements on the Gambling Task. Conclusions: This study suggests that young adult African-American recreational gamblers may experience greater levels of subsyndromal gambling compared to other racial-ethnic groups, and this appears linked with aspects of compulsivity. Future work should evaluate gambling longitudinally to better understand nuanced presentations across different groups, including in other age groups
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